Kirkenes Snow Hotel, Kirkenes

Order a Northern Lights wake-up call before going to bed, to ensure that you do not miss out should nature perform.

Why we like it

Located "at the top of the world", The Snow Hotel resides in the Arctic town of Kirkenes neighbouring the Barents sea, close to the Russian border.

Built exclusively with ice and snow, the hotel is skilfully crafted each winter and opens for stays from mid-December.

This experience hotel makes use of the insulating properties of snow. When it is -30 degrees outside it will still be relative warm inside the snowhotel, at a stable -5 degrees.

Head to Norway's largest ice bar to sample the renowned ice-cold crowberry shots on offer, locally known as Rudolf's Revenge.

Built by the same artists who create the Lainio Snow Village in Finland.

About Kirkenes Snow Hotel, Kirkenes

Set in idyllic surroundings, near Gabba Reindeer Park, the Kirkenes Snow Hotel offers a memorable stay. Decorated with beautifully-lit intricate ice and snow sculptures, each of the 20 snow-suites has a different theme from arctic culture or nature. The rooms are five metres in diameter, and equipped with everything needed for a comfortable nights sleep. The beds are framed with precision carved ice blocks and have comfortable mattresses with thermal insulation and cosy reindeer's furs to snuggle beneath. The Snow hotel neighbours a heated service building and an exotic, heated Lavvo restaurant serving Norwegian delicious delicacies such as roasted trout and reindeer meat. We're still dreaming of the rack of lamb with port sauce.